COVID-19 Resources

Arts Orange County is doing all it can to identify and spotlight resources that will be of benefit to the arts community as we all endure the crisis of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The links below offer resources for financial aid for both individuals and institutions, and skills-building for navigating the changed landscape

(last updated May 27, 2020)

FINANCIAL AND OTHER ASSISTANCE

Summary Table of CARES Act Programs: Prepared by the Americans for the Arts Action Fund; provides information and links on what is available, who qualifies, and where to apply.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: Expanded elegibility for unemployment benefits in the State of California for individuals and businesses affected

Disaster Loan Assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration: Eligibility is expanded and applications streamlined - the sooner you apply, the better

Small Business/Organization Tax Relief: Added filing flexibility is just one of many benefits available

Artist Relief. A coalition of national arts grantmakers of joined forces to provide informational resources and to award $5,000 grants to working artists who have been severely impacted

CA Cares: Humanities Relief and Recovery Grants: Support for organizations that have been affected, as well as to humanities practitioners who are facing financial hardship

Desert X Artist Relief Fund: Unrestricted cash grants of up to $1,000 for Southern California visual artists

Arts & Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund: One-time micro grant of $200 for artists and arts administrators of color

Pen America Writers Emergency Fund: Emergency $500-$1,000 grants are available to professional writers experiencing acute financial need due to the outbreak

Dramatists Guild Foundation: Emergency financial assistance to individual playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists in dire need of funds due to severe hardship or unexpected illness.

OC Theatre Guild Theatre Artists Relief Fund: 100% of funds raised by the Guild are distributed to provide immediate, and direct relief to applying local artists from the theatre community

Community Engagement COVID-19 Grant for Orange County Artists: The current round of 100 grants have all been awarded. Check the link for any news or updates.

The Actors Fund Entertainment Assistance Program: Emergency grants for living expenses are available to professional actors, dancers, and comedians regardless of union status

Musicians Foundation: Professional musicians can receive emergency payment of bills and debts

Recording Academy Musicares: Professional musicians can receive emergency financial assistance for everything from medical bills to utilities and rent

Rauschenberg Emergency Grants: Grants of up to $5,000 are available to cover unexpected medical emergencies for U.S. visual and media artists and choreographers. Applications are open from May 18 through June 15.

Queer Writers of Color Relief Fund: Microgrants of $100-500, rate and size dependent on ongoing fundraising efforts

KNOWLEDGE RESOURCES

COVID-19 Impact Survey: Data collected in this 5-minute survey from Americans For the Arts is already being used in advocacy efforts by providing vital and current data on the impact of COVID-19-forced closures on arts professionals and educators.

Resources For Freelance Artists: List of free programs, educational resources, and emergency financial support for individual artists

Educational Resources From Creative Capital: Free Webinars and Workshops on everything from financial assistance programs for artists to Livestreaming How-tos.

Resources for Streaming Event Accessibility: The National Endowment for the Arts provides guidance and tools for how to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are considered in preparing your virtual event

Virtual Facilitation Best Practices: The Opportunity Network provides a guide via Google Docs with tips and tricks on getting the most out of Zoom and other tools, and tips for communication and meeting organization in the virtual space

Financial Strategies for Freelance Artists in a Time of Crisis: Free Webinar from the theatremaking discussion platform HowlRound

Advice for Livestreaming Artists: First-hand tips from artists at Creative Capital, comparing platforms, social media services by cost, reach, and appropriateness for your art form